Linear loading film processing device

ABSTRACT

A linear loading film processing device for developing an elongated strip of film, wherein the device includes a developer tube having end caps threadably secured thereto, a light trap formed inside the tube proximate one end thereof, and a film holding unit removably disposed in the tube wherein the film is disposed in a transversely arcuate configuration with only the longitudinal edges thereof in contact with the unit thus permitting developing fluid to contact both sides of the film.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,847,477 Hoar Nov. 12, 1974 [5 LINEAR LOADING FILM PROCESSING 2,947,236 8/]960 Siegel 95/93 DEVICE 3,192,847 7/1965 Ener 95/97 Inventor: Kenneth W. Haar, Omaha, Nebr. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3 AssigneZ K. w & Associates Co. 642,376 3/l937 Germany /94 R Omaha, Nebr.

. Primary Examiner-Fred L. Braun [22] Ffled' 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Henderson & Strom [21] Appl. No.: 353,647

I l [57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 354/312 A linear loading film processing device for developing [5 1] Int. Cl. G03d 17/00 an elongated strip of film, wherein the device includes [58] Field Of Search 95/89 R, 905, 93, 96, a developer tube having end Caps threadably Secured 95/97 98, 354/297, 309v thereto, a light trap formed inside the tube proximate 331 one end thereof, and a film holding unit removably disposed in the tube wherein the film is disposed in a ]v References C'ted transversely arcuate configuration with only the longi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tudinal edges thereof in contact with the unit thus per- 1,743,012 i 1930 Allin 95/905 m g developing fluid to Contact both Sides of the 2,l8l,206 ll/l939 Rinn film. 2,465,877 3/1949 Hubbard.... 9,577,440 12 1951 Wolff 95 905 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Flgures PATENTEUNBV 12 law.

FIG. 4

FIG. 3

g /4 (a J I FIG. 6

LINEAR LOADING FILM PROCESSING DEVICE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The art of developing'rolls of film has generally involved the use of relatively large volume tanks containing developer solution, bath solution, fixer solution and water. The tanks are disposed in a dark room and the process of developing the film is substantially accomplished under controlled light conditions. Large quantities of expensive solutions are used and they must be replenished frequently because of aging and deterioration. The costs of equipment and solution thus have substantially restricted the development of film to the large commercial and professional developers. The average hobbyist and low volume commercial photographer must therefore send their film to others for development.

To overcome the disadvantage of cost and space a canister or sealable tank has been developed for the hobbyist and professional who has a low volume of development work. This canister comprises an elongated tank having a passage formed therethrough and'which is sealable on both ends. The passage has a transverse or lateral configuration which is slightly smaller than the width of the film thus requiring that the film be bowed transversely. A plurality of spaced nodules are disposed along the inner top wall of the canister to prevent the film from contacting. the top wall. Ports are provided in one end of the canister and are connected to a filling tube to permit charging and discharging the canister with solution. An environment having no light is thus provided for the development process. (Pat. No. 3,192,847, issued to S. H. Ener, July'6, 1965) Several disadvantages are inherent in the above disclosed canister. For example, the loading of film is difficult because a roll of film is several feet long and extremely flexible. Furthermore the film must be loaded into the canister in only one way to provide that the emulsion side thereof does not contact any wall or nodule. The charging and discharging of the canister through the tube and ports takes considerable time and requires an extremely effective design of the device to permit complete discharging of the solution. Accidental removal of one of the ends subjects any film in the canister tolight and thus causes exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel linear loading film processing device for developing an elongated strip of film wherein the device includes a developer tube and a removable film strip holder. The tube has a chamber formed longitudinally therethrough of slightly greater dimensions than the holder thus minimizing the amount of solution required for the developing process. Each end of the tube is threadablycapped to permit easy cleaning of the passage. A light trap element is disposed in the tube proximateone end thereof and a handle having a passage formed axially therethrough which fluidly communicates with the chamber thus facilitating the charging of the chamber. The passage communicates with the chamber on both sides of the light trap element and serves as an internal air vent to allow the smooth flow of the processing solutions through the light trap. The other end of the tube has no obstruction and thus facilitates the loading and unloading of the film strip holder.

The film strip holder is provided to permit the easy loading of the film thereon in a dark room. The holder is flanged and its transverse dimension is slightly smaller than the width of the film thus causing the film to bow slightly wherein it does not contact either the holder or the tube intermediate its edges. The solution can therefore contact both sides of the film thus permitting the emulsion side of the film to be loaded either facing toward or away from the holder.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an extremely effective, economical and novel film processing device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a linear loading film processing device which uses a minimum volume of developing solutions, which assures no spillage of solution during agitation of the device, which is easily and smoothly charged and discharged with solution, which is substantially of one piece construction, which permits thorough agitation of the solution, which does not require that the developing process occur in a dark room except during the loading of the film strip into the holder and the loading of the holder into a processing chamber, which has a light trap element mounted in one end of the chamber, which has a handle mounted adjacent the light trap with a passage formed therein with the passage communicating with the chamber on both sides of the light trap to provide an internal air vent, which is threadably capped on both ends to allow the chamber to be easily cleaned, which because of its external configuration is easy to store, which provides a closed environment for the solution thus permitting the temperature of the solution to be retained at ideal values, which is easily transported and agitated because of the handle, and which can be readily formed from plastic or metal.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a film processing device wherein the film is easily and effectively mounted in a film strip holder which is removably disposable in a chamber which can be charged with a film developing solution.

A further object of this inventionis to provide a linear loading film processing device which is economical of manufacture, simple and durable of construction, effective in service, which does not require exceptional training in its use, and which a hobbyist, an amateur, a low volume commercial photographer, or a child can effectively use.

These objects and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS film strip Referring now to the drawings, the linear film processing device of thisinvention is indicated generally at in FIGS. 1 and 2, and includes a hollow elongated developer tube 11 whichreceives afilm strip holder 12 (FIG. 6). The developer tube 11 external surface 13 on each end is provided with threads 14 (FIG. 5) for threadably receiving end caps 16 or 17. Each end cap has an opening 18 formed therein and the internal .surface v19 of the opening -l8.is'tapped to provide threads 21. Thus, it will be noted that the end caps 16 and .17 effectively seal bothendsof the tube 11.

Internally provided in .thetube 11 (FIGS. 3 5)-is a chamber 22 thatextends from substantially the bottom end 23 of the tube 11 for approximately three-fourths of the length thereof. The chamber 22 is kidney shaped of the holder. The one end I of the 's'trlpis .then slowly pulled along the. channel forrned by'the flanges andathe closed side until'the'strip lies-ifullyjnthe channel. The resulting-tension betweenthe filrnstrip edges andtthe internalwalls of the. holder .rctai'nsthe "film-in position within the channel. slt will .thushc notedin FIG'Tthat the film is disposed completely within thechanneland neither side of thefilm contactstheholder nor canthey touch the tube. a a

in that it has two'generally parallel curved sides'which are connected at 'the'top and bottom by two arcuate ends. A serpentine passage 24fl uidly 'connectson-one end 26 tothe upperend of the chamber 22 andis oval in cross section (FIG.,4). Fluidly communicating-with the other end 27 ofthe sepentine passage 24 is a-cylindrical passage 28. The upper end of the cylindrical-passage extends to thetop end 29 of the tube 11. The area of the tube around the serpentine passage 2,4.may either be integral with-the tube 11 orit may comprise an insert element (not shown) which is disposed in the tube. However, the serpentine passage 24 is provided to form a light trap thus preventing light from reaching the chamber when theend cap 17 is removed.

Secured to the outer surface of thetube 11 (FIGS. 1

, and 5) isa handle 3l having a passage 32 formed axially therethrough. Spaced holes 33 and 34 are radially drilled throughlthe tube 111 in alignment with the ends of the handle passage 32 thus providing fluid communication between-the chamberf22 and the cylindrical passage 28. I

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the filmstrip holder 12 is depictedas being arcuate in cross section with two inwardly facingflanges'36 and 37 secured to theedges thereof. The internal width between the edges is slightly smallerthan the width of a film strip 38 (FIG. 7). Therefore upon mounting the film strip 38 in the holder 12 it will have a transverse bow thereon which projects toward the center of the holder 12. The length of the holder is at least as long as the length of the film strip and no longer than the length of the tube from the end cap 18 to the serpentinepassage one end 26.

To provide easier insertion of the film holder '12 into the chamber 22 is '.a second cylindrical passage 39 which is formed in the bottom end of the tube 11 and which fluidly communicates with the chamber 22. The area 41 of the junction between the chamber 22 and the second passage 39 is beveled to eliminate any obstruction to the end of the film strip holder 12 as it passes from the second passage 39 into the chamber 22.

In operation, in total darkness a roll of exposed film 38 is removed fromits reel or cartridge and one end thereof is grasped between the thumb and' 'forefinger. The film strip holder 12 is grasped in the-other hand with the open side face up. The one end of the film strip 38 is placed in the holder with the edges thereof disposed underneath the flanges 36 and 37 and the center of the strip bowed downwardly toward the closedside The film strip holder 12,.now loaded with 1thc-exposed filmstrip 38, isinserted;in,to=theb0ttom end'23 ofthe tube 11 and-theend cap1,6.isthreadablysecured to thetube. It will be observed thatkthechambcr22 is only slightly largenthan thezholder1 2.and is shaped to permit the holder tobe inserted in onlyone manner, therefore it may .be' necessaryytorotate either the holder orthe tubetofacilitate the loading.

Upon completion of .thetloading of the holder 12 in the tube 11 and thesealingof the bottom end 23 with the end cap 16 thedevice-maybe taken ,.into a lighted area as the film 38 isprotected-bythe lighttrap' 25. The

tube 11 .is then charged with developer solution by pouring it, into the cylindrical'passage 28.'The other end cap 17-is threadably:mountedonthe top end v29 of the tube 11' and-the tube is inverted/at regular intervals to agitate the solution. After asuitable time; prescribed by the manufacturer of the solutionas determined-by the concentration and temperature the end cap 1 7.is removed and the solution poured fromithe tube Similar steps aretaken with-thebath solution, fixer-solution .and water,'until. the chemical processing of .the film .is

completed. The film -strip holder .isthen removed from the tube via the bottom end 23.,

Thehollow handle 31 opens on both endsofthelight trap 25andservesnot onlyv as aihandlebut as aminternal air .vent to allowxthe smooth flow .of solutions through the light trap 25. i

I claim: I

1. A linear-loading film processing device for developing an elongated strip of film, Esaid film processing device comprising: i f

an.e longated developer tubevhaving a bottom end and a top endQsaid tubehavinga chamber formed longitudinally therein which hasa lowerend exiting the bottom end of said tube and an upper .end disposed intermediate said bottom and top ends, said tube having a'first cap removably mounted on the top end of said tube and a second cap removably mounted onthe bottomend of said tube;

a light trap having opposed ends disposedin-saidtube adjacent the upper end of said chamber. and having a serpentine passage formed longitudinally therethrough from one end to the other end thereof .with

. the one end of said passage fluidly communicating with the upper end'of said chamber;

a charging passage formed inthe top end of saidztube and having a first end fluidly communicating with the other end of said serpentine passage and a second end exitingthe topend of said tube;

v a film strip holder for holding film wherein thesides of the film do not contact the holder, said holder removably-disposed in said chamber betweensaid light trap and the bottom end of said tube. said holder being areuate in cross-sectional view and having an inwardly facing flangesecure'd to each edge thereof to form a channel'with theinternal width fromedge to edge of the channel being outer surface in alignment with said light trap, said handle having said interior air vent formed therethrough, and said tube having a pair of spaced holes formed radially therethrough for fluidly interconnecting said air vent with said chamber and said charging passage.

3. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 2 wherein said chamber is kidney shaped in cross-sectional view and its dimensions are only slightly greater than the dimensions of said film strip holder.

4. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 3 wherein the lower end of said chamber is enlarged and the inner wall of said tube at the juncture of said enlarged chamber and said kidney shaped chamber is beveled to eliminate any obstruction to the film strip holder as it is inserted into said chamber.

5. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 4 wherein said charging passage is enlarged to permit said passage to be charged with developing solution. 

1. A linear loading film processing device for developing an elongated strip of film, said film processing device comprising: an elongated developer tube having a bottom end and a top end, said tube having a chamber formed longitudinally therein which has a lower end exiting the bottom end of said tube and an upper end disposed intermediate said bottom and top ends, said tube having a first cap removably mounted on the top end of said tube and a second cap removably mounted on the bottom end of said tube; a light trap having opposed ends disposed in said tube adjacent the upper end of said chamber and having a serpentine passage formed longitudinally therethrough from one end to the other end thereof with the one end of said passage fluidly communicating with the upper end of said chamber; a charging passage formed in the top end of said tube and having a first end fluidly communicating with the other end of said serpentine passage and a second end exiting the top end of said tube; a film strip holder for holding film wherein the sides of the film do not contact the holder, said holder removably disposed in said chamber between said light trap and the bottom end of said tube, said holder being arcuate in cross-sectional view and having an inwardly facing flange secured to each edge thereof to form a channel with the internal width from edge to edge of the channel being slightly smaller than the transverse width of the film thus causing the film strip to have a transverse bow projecting toward the center of the film strip holder; and an interior air vent formed in said tube around said light trap and fluidly communicating with the upper end of said chamber and the first end of said charging passage.
 2. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 1 and including a handle secured to said tube outer surface in alignment with said light trap, said handle having said interior air vent formed therethrough, and said tube having a pair of spaced holes formed radially therethrough for fluidly interconnecting said air vent with said chamber and said charging passage.
 3. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 2 wherein said chamber is kidney shaped in cross-sectional view and its dimensions are only slightly greater than the dimensions of said film strip holder.
 4. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 3 wherein the lower end of said chamber is enlarged and the inner wall of said tube at the juncture of said enlarged chamber and said kidney shaped chamber is beveled to eliminate any obstruction to the film strip holder as it is inserted into said chamber.
 5. A linear loading film processing device as defined in claim 4 wherein said charging passage is enlarged to permit said passage to be charged with developing solution. 